# US 6,725,126 B1 · Apparatus and method for matched mailing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,725,126 B1 - Document ID: US6725126B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 10/256,312 - Filed: 2002-09-27 - Published: 2004-04-01 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 2002-09-27 - Assignees: Pitney Bowes Inc. - Inventors: Michael S. Doery - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6725126B1 ## CPC - G07B 17/00467: {Transporting mailpieces (postal sorting B07C)} - G07B 2017/00491: {Mail/envelope/insert handling system} - G07B: TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS ## Abstract In one embodiment the present invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; an printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; a printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope; and wherein the printer prints a control page that includes control information, the control page being scanned prior to the document and subsequently diverted from a feed path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a document feeder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a print finishing area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the print finishing area comprises a document printer and a control system for supplying address and insert information to the document printer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the control system also supplies control data for printing on the document. ### Claim 6 An apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; an inserter for inserting documents collected at the accumulation station into an envelope; an envelope printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope; and wherein the printer prints a control page that includes control information, the control page being scanned prior to the document and subsequently diverted from a feed path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a document feeder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a print finishing area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the print finishing area comprises a document printer and a control system for supplying address and insert information to the document printer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the control system also supplies control data for printing on the document. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the desired information to a controller; an accumulation station configured to accumulate documents, collate documents and fold the documents; a transport station for providing a buffer zone to accommodate for processing time of the controller; an inserter for inserting documents collected at the accumulation station into an envelope; an envelope sealing station to seal the envelope containing the inserted documents; and an envelope printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner; and wherein the printer prints a control page that includes control information, the control page being scanned prior to the document and subsequently diverted from a feed path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a document feeder. 13.The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station comprises a print finishing area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the print finishing area comprises a document printer and a control system for supplying address and insert information to the document printer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the control system also supplies control data for printing on the document.